The Great Ocean Road

The GOR was like living the dream. All I'd ever learned about in Physical Goegraphy, and only ever seen in books, was there in front of me. We stopped at every well known feature and more. It was like a Benny Hill sketch of a coach tour - in the car, drive to carpark, out of the car, race to viewing point, take photos,back to car, on to next place..... seeing the same people in every place, taking their photo etc We managed to fit in a late breakfast stop and a few toilet stops as well. All the time, the weather remained warm and sunny but we were being followed by black clouds and lightning the whole way. The storm finally hit us as we were waiting for the Queenscliffe - Sorrento ferry to take us to the Mornington Peninsular. Then the heavens opened and the thunder and lightning was overhead for most of the crossing which luckily, was not too rough.
The resort is small with a small swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. However, the beach is just across the road and is very safe for swimming as it is facing Phillip Bay. Unfortunately the weather has not been warm enough for swimming - Sauturday it rained all day. Nerae and Damian came down to visit us and took us to a lovely pub in the last place on the peninsular- Portsea. The tremendous views we were promised could not be seen through the mist and rain. They also took us to the ocean side of the peninsular where the waves were huge and crashing onto rocks. It was the first time the rain macs needed to come out of the suitcase.
Sunday saw a slight improvement in the weather - still a bit cloudy and windy but dry enough to sit facing the sea to have coffee and to be able to walk around the headland a bit. Later Ieuan and I went to Arthur's Seat - the highest viewing point in the area. It was originally an important meeting area for the local indiginous tribes and had an Aboriginal name. However, the settlers renamed it (as they have done to many places in the country)!!
Whilst at the top, we met a Scottish couple who have just emigated here from Glasgow.
Monday, Stu was not feeling too good, so Ieuan and I went off exploring again - this time to walk to the very last point on the peninsular. We were able to take the car quite a way but had to do lots of walking. Along the we visited what was the old Quarentine village -used for settlers before they were allowed into Melbourne. Further on were the WW1 and WW2 battlements and guns built there to prevent the Russians coming through the strait in WW! and the Japanese in WW2. The guns were only ever fired once.
We were expecting to be out about 2 hours but the whole visit took over 4.
Tuesday we went into Melbourne. We are a surprisingly long way out and it took nearly 2 hours to get there. We were a little disappointed with Melbourne although Nerae had warned us. We did a free bus tour of the city so have some idea of places of interest. Ieuan and I are hoping to return sometime after Stu and Pam have left so that I can meet up with my cousin.
Off for a pancake breakfast now.